Sample fixing structure and slicing device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of biological microscopic imaging, in particular to a sample fixing structure and a slicing device. The sample fixing structure comprises a fixing piece, a fixing groove is formed in the fixing piece, and the fixing groove is used for fixing a sample; the pushing assembly comprises a pushing rod and a bearing piece used for bearing a sample, one end of the pushing rod is connected with the bearing piece, and the pushing rod pushes the bearing piece to move in the vertical direction and drives the sample to move in the vertical direction. According to the sample fixing structure, the sample can be fixed through the fixing groove formed in the fixing piece, the outer wall of the sample is attached to the inner wall of the fixing groove, so that the sample can be always kept stable and cannot deform or shake during slicing, the bearing piece can be driven to move upwards through the push rod during slicing, and the sample can be fixed through the bearing piece. Part of the sample is exposed out of the fixing groove to facilitate slicing treatment, and the rest part is still located in the fixing groove, so that the slicing precision can be remarkably improved, and the continuity and stability of the slicing are ensured.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to biological microscopic imaging technical field especially, relate to a sample fixing structure and section device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the research of biomedical and other fields, biological tissues are often processed by sectioning technology, and combined with mass spectrometry analysis, gene sequencing, imaging and other means to obtain multi-dimensional information of the tissues. However, the information provided by single section is relatively limited, so it is particularly important to obtain continuous multiple section information.

[0003] At present, in the sectioning process, biological samples are usually fixed on the sample carrier by adhesion. However, for large volume biological samples, due to their soft texture and large height, deformation and shaking are prone to occur during cutting. In addition, the instability of the sample itself interacts with the vibration of the cutting tool, which will lead to an undesirable cutting environment, resulting in problems such as tissue damage and uneven cutting thickness, which may eventually lead to sectioning failure. UTILITY MODEL CONTENT

[0004] The utility model provides a sample fixing structure and section device to solve the defects that the existing section device cannot effectively fix the sample, the sample is prone to deformation and shaking during cutting, and is prone to section failure.

[0005] The utility model provides a sample fixing structure in one aspect, including: fixed part, the fixed part is formed with fixed groove in, the fixed groove is used for fixing sample, push assembly, the push assembly includes push rod and is used for supporting sample support, one end of the push rod is connected with the support, so that the support is moved along the vertical direction and drives sample to move along the vertical direction through the push rod.

[0006] The sample fixing structure provided by the utility model further includes a driving member, an output shaft of the driving member is in transmission connection with the push rod, so that the push rod is driven to move vertically by the driving member.

[0007] The sample fixing structure provided by the utility model further includes a transmission member, an output shaft of the driving member is in transmission connection with the push rod through the transmission member.

[0008] The sample fixing structure provided by the utility model, the driving member is a linear motor, a servo motor or a stepping motor.

[0009] The sample fixing structure provided by the utility model, the support is a piston, and the piston is in sealing fit with the inner wall of the fixed groove.

[0010] The sample fixing structure provided by the utility model, the side wall of the piston is sleeved with a sealing ring.

[0011] The sample fixing structure provided by the utility model has the advantages that the fixing groove formed in the fixing member can fix the sample, the outer wall of the sample is attached to the inner wall of the fixing groove, the sample can be kept stable during slicing and will not deform or shake, during slicing, the push rod drives the supporting member to move upward, part of the sample is exposed outside the fixing groove for easy slicing, and the remaining part is still in the fixing groove, which can significantly improve the slicing precision and ensure continuous and stable slicing.

[0012] The utility model discloses a slicing device on the basis of the sample fixing structure, which comprises a cutting device and the sample fixing structure.

[0013] The slicing device provided by the utility model further comprises a first X-axis moving device, and the sample fixing structure is arranged on the first X-axis moving device, so that the sample fixing structure is driven by the first X-axis moving device to move along the horizontal direction relative to the cutting end of the cutting device.

[0014] The slicing device provided by the utility model further comprises a fixing seat and a second X-axis moving device, the sample fixing structure is arranged on the fixing seat, and the cutting end of the cutting device is arranged on the second X-axis moving device, so that the cutting end of the cutting device is driven by the second X-axis moving device to move along the horizontal direction relative to the sample fixing structure.

[0015] The sample fixing structure provided by the utility model has the advantages that the fixing groove formed in the fixing member can fix the sample, the outer wall of the sample is attached to the inner wall of the fixing groove, the sample can be kept stable during slicing and will not deform or shake, during slicing, the push rod drives the supporting member to move upward, part of the sample is exposed outside the fixing groove for easy slicing, and the remaining part is still in the fixing groove, which can significantly improve the slicing precision and ensure continuous and stable slicing.

[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of the utility model will be partially given in the following description, partially will become obvious from the following description, or will be understood through the practice of the utility model. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical scheme in the utility model or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiment or the prior art description, and obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the utility model, and those skilled in the art can also obtain other drawings according to these drawings without creating labor.

[0018] Figure 1 It is the schematic diagram of the sample fixing structure provided by one of the embodiments of the utility model.

[0019] Figure 2 It is one of the schematic diagrams of the fixing member in the sample fixing structure provided by one of the embodiments of the utility model.

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the fixing member in the sample fixing structure provided by one of the embodiments of the present application.

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic view of the fixing member in the sample fixing structure provided by one of the embodiments of the present application.

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic view of the slicing device provided by the second embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Figure 6 is one of the working schematic views of the slicing device provided by the second embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 7 is the second working schematic view of the slicing device provided by the second embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 8 is a schematic view of the slicing device provided by the third embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 9 is one of the working schematic views of the slicing device provided by the third embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 10 is the second working schematic view of the slicing device provided by the third embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Reference signs:

[0029] 10, sample fixing structure; 110, fixing member; 111, fixing groove; 120, pushing assembly; 121, pushing rod; 122, supporting member; 123, sealing ring; 20, slicing device; 30, first X-axis moving device; 40, fixing seat; 50, second X-axis moving device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical scheme of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in combination with the drawings in the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all the other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0031] In the description of the embodiments of the utility model, it needs to be explained that, the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the utility model and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the devices or elements indicated must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only for the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] In the description of the embodiments of the utility model, it needs to be explained that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or integrally connected, it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected, it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For ordinary skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] In the embodiments of the utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the first feature is "on" or "under" the second feature, which can be direct contact between the first and second features, or indirect contact between the first and second features through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature "above", "above" and "above" of the second feature can be directly above or obliquely above the first feature, or only indicate that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature "below", "below" and "below" of the second feature can be directly below or obliquely below the first feature, or only indicate that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

[0034] In the description of the present application, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example" or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the utility model. In the present application, the illustrative description of the above terms is not necessarily for the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or features of different embodiments or examples described in the present application without contradiction.

[0035] The following will be combined Figures 1 to 10 The sample fixing structure and the slicing device provided by the utility model are described.

[0036] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 As shown in the drawings, the sample fixing structure 10 provided by the embodiment of the utility model, comprising: fixed part 110 and push assembly 120, fixed groove 111 is formed in fixed part 110, and fixed groove 111 is used for fixing sample;Push assembly 120, push assembly 120 includes push rod 121 and the support of sample's support 122, and one end of push rod 121 is connected with support 122, so as to move along the vertical direction (Z axis direction) by push rod 121 and drive sample to move along the vertical direction.

[0037] The sample fixing structure 10 provided by the utility model can fix sample through the fixed groove 111 formed in the fixed part 110, and the outer wall of the sample is attached to the inner wall of the fixed groove 111, so that the sample can always remain stable during slicing and will not deform or shake, and during slicing, the support 122 can be driven to move upward by the push rod 121, so that part of the sample is exposed outside the fixed groove 111 to facilitate slicing, and the remaining part is still located in the fixed groove 111, which can significantly improve the slicing accuracy and ensure continuous and stable slicing.

[0038] Specifically, since the sample is usually a flexible body, the fixed part 110 is used to fix the sample to prevent the sample from deforming or shaking during slicing. The fixed groove 111 is formed in the fixed part 110, and the fixed groove 111 can be a circular groove or a square groove according to the specifications of the sample, for example, when the fixed part 110 forms a circular fixed groove 111, it can be used to fix a cylindrical sample, and when the fixed part 110 forms a square fixed groove 111, it can be used to fix a square sample. In addition, the depth of the fixed groove 111 can be set according to the product specifications, and generally, the depth of the fixed groove 111 is greater than the thickness of the sample.

[0039] Referring to Figure 2 And Figure 3 As shown in the drawings, the fixed groove 111 can be a circular or square groove surrounded by a single component. Referring to Figure 4 As shown in the drawings, it can also be an open fixed groove 111 surrounded by a plurality of (such as four) components arranged circumferentially, at this time, the inner wall of the plurality of components arranged circumferentially is attached to the corresponding outer wall of the sample, which can also fix the sample.

[0040] The pushing assembly 120 is used to push the sample to move vertically so that the upper end of the sample is exposed outside the fixing groove 111 for facilitating the section processing. During the process of pushing the sample to move vertically, the pushing assembly 120 can gradually expose the tissues at different height positions of the sample to outside the fixing groove 111, thereby realizing the layer-by-layer section processing of the sample. During the process, in order to prevent the interference between the cutting end (tool) of the cutting device 20 and the fixing member 110, the exposed thickness of the sample can be appropriately greater than the section thickness, at this time, the cutting end of the cutting device 20 is away from the end surface of the fixing member 110 with a certain distance, and therefore the interference does not occur.

[0041] It should be noted that, in the case that the exposed thickness of the sample is appropriately greater than the section thickness, since the exposed thickness of the sample is still small, the sample will not be deformed or shaken.

[0042] The supporting member 122 is provided with a supporting surface for supporting the sample on the side away from the push rod 121, and the bottom surface of the sample is in surface contact with the supporting surface, which can further improve the stability thereof.

[0043] Preferably, the push rod 121 and the supporting member 122 are integrally provided, which can eliminate the connecting structure between the push rod 121 and the supporting member 122, reduce the potential problems of inaccurate or loose connection, and thereby improve the accuracy and stability when the push rod 121 pushes the supporting member 122 to move.

[0044] The biological sample can be a fresh biological tissue sample, or a biological tissue sample wrapped on the surface or penetrated by resin, paraffin, hydrogel or agarose and the like. The bottom surface of the sample is connected with the supporting surface of the supporting member 122, and the periphery is attached to the inner wall of the fixing groove 111, and will not be deformed or shaken during sectioning.

[0045] In some embodiments of the utility model, the pushing assembly 120 further comprises a driving member (not shown in the figure), and the output shaft of the driving member is in transmission connection with the push rod 121, so as to drive the push rod 121 to move vertically by the driving member.

[0046] By arranging the driving member, the push rod 121 can be driven to move vertically by the driving member, and the supporting member 122 and the sample can be synchronously driven to move vertically. Since the thickness of each section of the sample is small, the distance of each upward movement of the pushing assembly 120 needs to be accurately controlled, and therefore the driving member must be a driving device with high accuracy control capability, so as to ensure that the accuracy of each movement of the sample reaches the required standard, thereby avoiding the unevenness of the section thickness and ensuring the section quality.

[0047] As preferred, the driving member can be a linear motor, a servo motor or a stepper motor. Among them, the linear motor is a driving device that directly converts electrical energy into linear motion, has very high positioning accuracy and response speed, and compared with the traditional rotary motor, the linear motor can avoid the influence of transmission chain and mechanical gap, thereby providing higher precision control. It can complete micron-level displacement in a very short time, and is suitable for use in high-precision slicing. The servo motor is a driving device that realizes precise position control through closed-loop feedback control, and the control system of the servo motor can monitor and adjust the position in real time to ensure high-precision motion control, and is suitable for occasions that require precise control of vertical movement. The stepper motor is a driving device commonly used for high-precision positioning, which can accurately control the rotation angle by converting electrical energy into mechanical motion, and each step of the stepper motor corresponds to a very small fixed angle, which can achieve micron-level control accuracy. By precisely controlling the step distance and rotation of the stepper motor, the vertical movement of the sample during slicing can be accurately controlled.

[0048] In some embodiments of the utility model, the pushing assembly 120 further comprises a transmission member (not shown in the figure), and the output shaft of the driving member is in transmission connection with the push rod 121 through the transmission member.

[0049] By arranging the transmission member, the power output by the driving member can be transmitted to the push rod 121 and the supporting member 122, and the rotary motion output by the driving member can be switched to the vertical movement of the push rod 121 and the supporting member 122. As an example, the transmission member can adopt a high-precision form such as a ball screw.

[0050] Referring to Figure 1 As shown in the figure, in some embodiments of the utility model, the supporting member 122 is a piston, and the piston is in sealing cooperation with the inner wall of the fixed groove 111.

[0051] Since the slicing of some samples needs to be carried out in a liquid environment, when slicing, the sample needs to be placed in the sample groove (which contains a liquid medium), by arranging the supporting member 122 as a piston and arranging the piston in sealing cooperation with the inner wall of the fixed groove 111, the liquid medium in the sample groove can be prevented from flowing out through the gap between the sample and the fixed groove 111, the stability of the liquid surface in the sample groove is ensured, and the liquid medium is prevented from causing pollution and other negative effects to the outside (such as the driving member, etc.).

[0052] Referring to Figure 1 As shown in the figure, in some embodiments of the utility model, the side wall of the piston is sleeved with a sealing ring 123.

[0053] By sleeving the sealing ring 123 on the side wall of the piston, the sealing ring 123 can be used for sealing, and the sealing ring 123 can form a tight sealing surface between the piston and the inner wall of the fixed groove 111 by deforming itself, so as to prevent the liquid medium in the sample groove from leaking through the gap between the piston and the groove wall. In addition, the sealing ring 123 not only provides a sealing effect, but also reduces friction. When the piston moves vertically, the sealing ring 123 can reduce the friction between the piston and the groove wall, thereby reducing wear.

[0054] Specifically, the side wall of the piston in the embodiment is provided with an annular sealing groove, and the sealing ring 123 is sleeved in the sealing groove. The number of the sealing ring 123 is at least one, and when there are a plurality of sealing rings 123, the plurality of sealing rings 123 are arranged in the thickness direction of the piston, which can achieve better sealing effect. As an example, the side wall of the piston in the embodiment is provided with two sealing rings 123.

[0055] Next, the slicing device provided by the utility model will be described, and the slicing device described below can be correspondingly referred to the sample fixing structure 10 described above.

[0056] Referring to Figures 5 to 10 As shown in the figure, the slicing device provided by the utility model embodiment comprises: a cutting device 20 and the sample fixing structure 10 as described in any one of the above embodiments, and the cutting end of the cutting device 20 can move relative to the sample fixing structure 10 in the horizontal direction.

[0057] The slicing device provided by the utility model adopts the sample fixing structure 10 of the above embodiment, so that during slicing processing, the sample can be prevented from deforming or shaking, thereby improving the slicing precision and ensuring continuous and stable slicing.

[0058] It should be noted that in the slicing device provided by the utility model, the cutting device 20 is used for slicing processing of the sample, and when the cutting end of the cutting device 20 moves relative to the sample fixing structure 10 in the horizontal direction, the tissue with a predetermined thickness at the top of the sample can be cut off. The cutting device 20 can be a hard knife such as a stainless steel knife, a tungsten steel knife, a zirconia knife, a diamond knife and a vibrating slicing knife. The vibrating slicing knife can periodically vibrate in the horizontal direction to slice the sample.

[0059] Referring to Figures 5 to 7 According to some embodiments of the utility model, the slicing device further comprises a first X-axis moving device 30, and the sample fixing structure 10 is arranged on the first X-axis moving device 30, so as to drive the sample fixing structure 10 to move relative to the cutting end of the cutting device 20 in the horizontal direction through the first X-axis moving device 30.

[0060] By setting the first X-axis moving device 30, the sample fixing structure 10 can be driven by the first X-axis moving device 30 to move along the horizontal direction relative to the cutting end of the cutting device 20, so as to accurately control the position of the sample fixing structure 10 in the horizontal direction and enable the sample fixing structure 10 to move relative to the cutting end of the cutting device 20. This design enables flexible adjustment of the sample position during cutting, thereby ensuring the uniformity and precision of cutting.

[0061] Specifically, referring to Figure 9 and Figure 10 , when slicing, the vertical position of the sample is adjusted according to the set slice thickness, so that the sample with the set thickness is located outside the fixing groove 111, and then the sample fixing structure 10 is driven by the first X-axis moving device 30 to move from the initial position towards the cutting end of the cutting device 20. Since the upper end surface of the sample is higher than the cutting surface of the cutter, when the sample fixing structure 10 drives the sample to move horizontally along the X-axis direction, the cutting end of the cutting device 20 can cut the sample. After the sample is sliced, the sample fixing structure 10 is returned to the initial position by the first X-axis moving device 30, and the vertical position of the sample is adjusted again by the pushing assembly 120, and then the sample fixing structure 10 is driven by the first X-axis moving device 30 to move horizontally along the X-axis direction, so as to slice the sample. The process is repeated to realize continuous slicing of the sample.

[0062] Referring to Figures 8 to 10 , according to some embodiments of the present application, the slicing device further comprises a fixing seat 40 and a second X-axis moving device 50, the sample fixing structure 10 is arranged in the fixing seat 40, and the cutting end of the cutting device 20 is arranged in the second X-axis moving device 50, so as to drive the cutting end of the cutting device 20 to move relative to the sample fixing structure 10 along the horizontal direction by the second X-axis moving device 50.

[0063] By setting the fixing seat 40 and the second X-axis moving device 50, the fixing seat 40 stably supports the sample fixing structure 10, so as to ensure that the sample does not displace or vibrate during slicing, thereby ensuring the precision of slicing. The second X-axis moving device 50 is responsible for driving the cutting end of the cutting device 20 to move horizontally along the X-axis direction, so that the cutting end can stably cut the sample in the horizontal direction, thereby improving the flexibility and precision of cutting and avoiding cutting errors caused by inaccurate movement of the sample or the cutting end.

[0064] Specifically, referring to Figure 9 and Figure 10When slicing, the vertical position of the sample is adjusted according to the set slice thickness, so that the sample with the set thickness is located outside the fixing groove 111, and then the cutting end of the cutting device 20 is driven by the second X-axis moving device 50 to move from the initial position to the sample fixing structure 10, since the upper end surface of the sample is higher than the cutting surface of the cutter, when the cutting end of the cutting device 20 moves horizontally along the X-axis direction, the sample can be cut. After the sample is sliced, the cutting end of the cutting device 20 is returned to the initial position by the second X-axis moving device 50, and the vertical position of the sample is adjusted again by the pushing assembly 120, and then the cutting end of the cutting device 20 is driven by the second X-axis moving device 50 to move from the initial position to the sample fixing structure 10, and the sample is sliced. The process is repeated to realize continuous slicing of the sample.

[0065] Finally, it should be noted that: the above examples are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and not to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing examples, those skilled in the art should understand that: it can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing examples, or make equivalent replacement for part of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A sample fixing structure characterized by comprising: The application relates to a sample fixing structure. The sample fixing structure comprises a fixing part, a pushing assembly and a fixed groove. The pushing assembly comprises a pushing rod and a supporting part for supporting the sample.

2. The sample holding structure according to claim 1, wherein The pushing rod is connected with the supporting part at one end, so that the supporting part and the sample can be moved vertically by the pushing rod.

3. The sample holding structure according to claim 2, characterized by The pushing assembly further comprises a driving part, and the output shaft of the driving part is in transmission connection with the pushing rod, so that the pushing rod can be moved vertically by the driving part.

4. The sample holding structure according to claim 2, wherein The driving part is a linear motor, a servo motor or a stepping motor.

5. The sample holding structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The supporting part is a piston, and the piston is in sealing fit with the inner wall of the fixed groove.

6. The sample holding structure according to claim 5, wherein The side wall of the piston is sleeved with a sealing ring.

7. The sample holding structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by The cross section of the fixed groove is circular or rectangular.

8. A slicing apparatus characterized by comprising: The application further relates to a cutting device and the sample fixing structure. The cutting end of the cutting device can be moved relative to the sample fixing structure in the horizontal direction.

9. The slicing apparatus of claim 8, wherein, The sample fixing structure is arranged on the first X-axis moving device, so that the sample fixing structure can be moved relative to the cutting end of the cutting device in the horizontal direction by the first X-axis moving device.

10. The slicing apparatus of claim 8, wherein, The sample fixing structure is arranged on the fixing seat, and the cutting end of the cutting device is arranged on the second X-axis moving device, so that the cutting end of the cutting device can be moved relative to the sample fixing structure in the horizontal direction by the second X-axis moving device.

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